Google, since its founding in 1998, now offers much more than only an Internet search engine. The company also provides -- among other things -- Google Voice, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service that lets you make and receive calls and set up voicemail. However, if you just want to take advantage of Google's voicemail service -- which includes the ability to search past voicemails and receive voicemail transcriptions in your Gmail inbox -- and still keep your existing mobile phone number, you can sign up for Google Voice Lite. This way, all your voicemails will route to your Google Voice account.

Sign in to your Gmail account. Click "More" from the menu bar and then click "Even More." Then click "Voice" under the "Home & Office" heading.

Click "Get A Voice Number" and then click "I want to use my mobile number."

Enter your mobile number and then click "Check for available options." Then click "Get Google Voice Lite."

Click "Connect" and note the code that will appear on your computer screen. Then answer the phone associated with the mobile number you provided, and enter the code into the phone.

Click "Activate Google voicemail on this phone" and follow instructions from Google particular to your account.

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About the Author

Aaron Charles began writing about "pragmatic art" in 2006 for an online arts journal based in Minneapolis, Minn. After working for telecom giant Comcast and traveling to Oregon, he's written business and technology articles for both online and print publications, including Salon.com and "The Portland Upside."